August 2020
By Les Conklin
Friends of the Scenic Drive
Your Support Important
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Entry Sign. (Courtesy of Cindy Lee.)
“The Desert Foothills is a special place where the desert gradually rises to the mountains, creating slightly cooler temperatures and a lush landscape dotted with saguaro, palo verde, mesquite, and chollas. The Desert Foothills Scenic Drive (Scenic Drive) was created to preserve, protect, and showcase the desert roadsides of this “special place,” and thus, moderate future development, promote tourism, and create an asset that supports local businesses. Today, on the eve of its 50th birthday, the Scenic Drive also reflects the commitment of the City of Scottsdale and its residents to preserve their heritage and environment.” “55 Years Down the Road,” June 17, 2018 Article
New Project Underway
When I wrote the above the City of Scottsdale was finishing enhancements along Scottsdale Road and the Scenic Drive as part of its Bond 2000 initiative. The enhancements included under grounding remaining above ground utility poles and lines, enhancing intersection corners and strengthening the vegetative line along both sides of the road. Those enhancements have been implemented.
This week I received notification that the City of Scottsdale “is beginning to design a series of improvements to a two-mile segment of Scottsdale Road from Jomax Road to Dixileta Drive , including the intersections.” These improvements will include:
- Landscaped medians,
- Bike lanes,
- Sidewalks and trails,
- Enhancements to improve motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian capacity and accessibility.
The project will also consider a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of Dynamite Boulevard and Scottsdale Road. If the creation of a roundabout at that location is feasible, the final design of the roundabout will be included in the project.
Construction of included is improvements is expected to begin in the fall of 2021.
As with Bond 2000 and other City of Scottsdale Scenic Drive related projects, there will be several opportunities for community involvement, such as an open house meeting, throughout the design period.
Area Assessment Has Begun
The project team began a period of assessment and surveying on July 29th. This initial effort is scheduled to be completed on August 7. According to the notice that I received, “… the activity will be in the public right of way but at times on private property will occur in order to determine the exact location of walls, grade breaks, washes, etc. All data collection on private property will occur with handheld instruments and no disruptive activity should take place. In addition to using to using the handheld equipment, the project team will also be installing aerial survey panels (big white “X” on ground with a rebar in the middle) through the corridor and then flying over the project site to map panels and get updated topographical information. If you see a panel in your community, please do not remove it.“
Additional Information
Project: Scottsdale Road, Jomax Road to Dixileta Drive
Visit the project website: Scottsdaleaz.gov, search “Scottsdale Road Improvements”
Contact:
City of Scottsdale Project Manager Alison Tymkiw at ATymkiw@ScottsdaleAZ.gov or 480.312-3481.
Related Websites & Articles
Scenic Drive Information Directory Articles
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Monument Sign
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